A Sweaty Girl’s Guide to Deodorant

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Let’s be honest: some of us just sweat more. I have always struggled with sweating, especially in my teens (it truly seemed there was no end to my armpit stains). Forget about ever wearing light colors – I still don't own any grey t-shirts – the slightest change in temperature or peak in anxiety had me sweating like I had run a marathon. 

Needless to say, I have done my fair share of research to get my armpits under control. Now it’s time to share it with you. 

Deodorant and antiperspirant are not one-size-fits-all products. It is important to know what you are struggling with – is it B.O. or hyperhidrosis? You’ll also want to figure out what triggers your sweat: exercise, anxiety, hormones, certain fabrics. These, along with many other factors, can help you find a routine that can tackle the root cause of your issues. 

With help from Dr. Nicole Lee, MD MPH FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and owner of Epoch Dermatology, we’ve put together a no-shame guide to finding the deodorant (or antiperspirant) that actually works for your body. It's time to destigmatize sweaty pits. 

Reading Your Pit Stains

Let’s start with the basics. When treating sweating and body odor, it is important to note that they are two separate things. Excessive sweating (aka hyperhidrosis) can be broken down into two categories: primary and secondary. 

Primary hyperhidrosis has no underlying medical cause. Dr. Lee says it comes down to a neurological issue that makes your sweat glands overactive. This type of hyperhidrosis tends to run in families and can show up on different areas of the body: underarms, palms, feet, or face. 

When it comes to secondary hyperhidrosis, the issue is driven by an underlying condition like thyroid dysfunction, diabetes, hormonal shifts like menopause, certain medications, or infections. This means your sweating may be able to be controlled by treating an underlying condition, while the hereditary version cannot.

Body odor, on the other hand, is the term that encompasses the smell that may build up in your armpits or other areas due to your body’s reaction to sweating. Note that I said as a reaction to, not from sweating itself (sweat is largely odorless, Dr. Lee explains). In reality, body odor doesn't come from sweat – it comes from bacteria living on your skin.

“The smell comes from bacteria breaking down what's secreted by the apocrine glands, which are concentrated in the underarms and groin,” says Dr. Lee. “Those glands produce a thicker, protein rich sweat that bacteria love, and the byproduct is what we associate with body odor.”

Why Do Some People Deal With More Sweat and B.O. Than Others?

According to Dr. Lee, genetics play a major role, both in sweat gland activity and in the composition of your skin microbiome. Some people are just born with more apocrine glands than others, which unfortunately can directly affect odor intensity. Hormones can also cause changes in sweat patterns, shifting during puberty, pregnancy and menopause. 

When it comes to what triggers sweating and B.O., things like diet, medications, stress, fabrics and hormones are all factors. Foods high in sulfur (like garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables) are excreted through sweat and can noticeably change the way you smell. Red meat, alcohol, and spicy foods compound the issue as well. There are also certain medications that can trigger sweating as a side effect, so it is something Dr. Lee makes sure to ask about when a patient comes in exhibiting new or worsening issues. Emotional stress can be a trigger too, as it is known to activate apocrine glands, which are most associated with body odor. 

Some synthetic fabrics, like polyester, trap heat and moisture and create an environment where bacteria thrive. It’s safer to stick with natural fibers like cotton, linen, and merino wool to stay fresher during the day. Hormonal fluctuations throughout the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause can also play a role in how your body reacts to sweat. Dr. Lee says there is also emerging research that shows your gut’s microbiome may have an influence on odor as well. 

Sweat v. Stink

What is the actual difference between deodorant and antiperspirants? Dr. Lee explains that although the names – deodorant and antiperspirant – are used interchangeably, they are two completely different things that target different problems. Deodorant targets odor, and it works by neutralizing the bacteria on your skin that cause smell (products that contain mandelic acid for example), or masking it with fragrance. There are thousands of deodorants in different forms – sprays, powders, sticks – and fragrances on the market. Some products boast natural ingredients and some claim to be extra-strength, but one thing is for certain: deodorants do not stop you from sweating. 

If you are worried about excessive sweating, you’ll need an antiperspirant. Antiperspirants actually reduce sweat production, temporarily plugging the sweat ducts with a compound, most commonly aluminum. According to Dr. Lee, the FDA actually classifies antiperspirants as an over the counter drug and deodorants as a cosmetic, a very important distinction.

There has been a long debate in the wellness community about whether or not aluminum based antiperspirant formulas are safe to use. Chiefly because at one time it was thought that long-term exposure to aluminum could be linked to diseases like breast cancer and Alzheimer's disease. However, according to Dr. Lee these myths have no scientific standing. Concern originated from older, largely debunked studies that neither the American Cancer Society nor the Alzheimer's Association supports. The amount of aluminum absorbed through the skin from antiperspirant is minimal, and is safe for the majority of people to use everyday. 

When asked about the effectiveness of natural formulas, Dr. Lee says these products have come a long way. For mild to moderate odor, these products can work well – but they will not work to reduce sweating. 

Doctor’s Orders

When patients come into Dr. Lee’s office complaining of strong odor or excessive sweating, she recommends a couple courses of action. First, and patients are often surprised by this, is using an antibacterial wash in the underarm area to cut down on the odor causing bacteria that live there. She likes to prescribe a benzoyl peroxide wash for this, but Hibiclense is an even gentler option.

For patients with excessive sweating, she recommends trying widely available clinical strength products first like Secret Clinical Strength and Dove Clinical Protection. As a pro tip, she says applying antiperspirants at night help the products get properly absorbed as you sleep. If all else fails, Dr. Lee will prescribe an aluminum chloride hexahydrate like Drysol, which tends to make a huge difference with stubborn cases. 

For people looking for a more permanent solution, Dr. Lee recommends a few different medical treatments. Iontophoresis, a mild electrical current passed through water to temporarily block sweat ducts, is a highly effective treatment, but the catch is it can be extremely difficult to find a place that offers the service. A more widely available option are Botox injections, which are FDA approved to lessen underarm hyperhidrosis. I have personally tried this method and find it extremely effective; however they are super expensive, reaching upwards of $1000 depending on where you go and last only 2-6 months. Dr. Lee also suggests miraDry, a non-invasive microwave based device that permanently destroys sweat and odor glands and is a great long lasting option for the right candidate. 

With all of the semi-permanent treatments, it is still important to find an OTC routine that can work in tandem with whatever else your doctor prescribes to be used as these treatments wear off and symptoms slowly return.

Sniffing Out the Best Formula

Picking a formula can be daunting, but if you are well versed in your needs and the products on the market you’ll be able to make an educated choice. Sometimes these products require a bit of trial and error to find the right fit. When asked about price point reflecting performance, Dr. Lee cautioned against getting swept up in the hype. Her go-to formula for hyperhidrosis, Secret Clinical Strength, is one of the most affordable choices and is proven to be one of the most effective for sweat reduction. When it comes to natural deodorant, she says you're largely paying for ingredient quality, formulation elegance, and packaging. The bottom line is that the right product depends on what the person actually needs – if sweating is the issue, no natural formula will match a clinical strength antiperspirant regardless of price.